A collection of invaluable tips for first timers to Los Angeles.
Oct 27th, 2005, 08:59 PM
#21
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standard reply:
Get your rental car, then find the very first store where you can buy a CHEAP styrofoam cooler - usually a wal-mart or a drug store like Sav-On or Walgreen's, then buy a case of water or pop. Don't forget the ice.
You will drink all the water and/or pop, and still save a ton of money because a cheap cooler is $5, a case of water is $4-5, pop is $5-6 or so, ice is $1.50, to buy single cans or bottles is anywhere from $1 to $2.75 - EACH.
You're money ahead to do this, because nobody drinks tap water in LA.
Get your rental car, then find the very first store where you can buy a CHEAP styrofoam cooler - usually a wal-mart or a drug store like Sav-On or Walgreen's, then buy a case of water or pop. Don't forget the ice.
You will drink all the water and/or pop, and still save a ton of money because a cheap cooler is $5, a case of water is $4-5, pop is $5-6 or so, ice is $1.50, to buy single cans or bottles is anywhere from $1 to $2.75 - EACH.
You're money ahead to do this, because nobody drinks tap water in LA.
Oct 28th, 2005, 11:42 AM
#23
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That...
...it sometimes does rain.
...one of the most beautiful spots is Alumni Park at Pepperdine University, Malibu. All you see is the green grass, unfolding into the blue Pacific and the blue sky.
...if you see it through the eyes of a child, I'll repeat that, IF you see it through the eyes of a child, Disneyland really is one of the happiest places on earth.
...you'll miss the palm trees when you leave.
...that no matter the problem, if somehow seems smaller when you are sitting by the ocean.
...it it more fun to rent a convertible.
...if you ask anyone how far away something is, they will say, "about 30 minutes".
...someday after your visit you will hear the Mama's and the Papa's singing California Dreamin' on the radio and it will inevitably make you smile.
...it sometimes does rain.
...one of the most beautiful spots is Alumni Park at Pepperdine University, Malibu. All you see is the green grass, unfolding into the blue Pacific and the blue sky.
...if you see it through the eyes of a child, I'll repeat that, IF you see it through the eyes of a child, Disneyland really is one of the happiest places on earth.
...you'll miss the palm trees when you leave.
...that no matter the problem, if somehow seems smaller when you are sitting by the ocean.
...it it more fun to rent a convertible.
...if you ask anyone how far away something is, they will say, "about 30 minutes".
...someday after your visit you will hear the Mama's and the Papa's singing California Dreamin' on the radio and it will inevitably make you smile.
Oct 31st, 2005, 03:30 PM
#25
For the 24 year ex-resident, read up. Sad but true, L.A. used to be laid back when it came to driving, and people were polite. Now they flip off driver's training students, even if there's a big sign on the roof noting the lack of experience in driving.
The department of transportation is getting a bit better about this, but you will still see freeway interchanges where instead of using the directions "north" or "south", we're given a geography lesson on the state of California. Thus, you will see, as you are driving, say, on the 10 at the 5 interchange, "5 Sacramento", even though Sacramento is not by any stretch of the imagination in the vicinity of L.A.. Now, you may not know that Sacramento is 400 miles or so away. You might head that way thinking Sacramento is a suburb of L.A., but you won't find it on your freeway map of L.A. (no surprise).
Another thing recently instituted on freeways and now on city streets is the ever popular "CMS" (changeable message signs)-- a big flashing billboard demanding that you WATCH THE ROAD. Very counter-productive.
Enough about roads, except to say while on vacation, don't bother to get up before 9 a.m. if you plan to travel by car and don't bother to live a place you are visiting during "rush hour" (which is all day on the 405 and 4 - 7 on the 10).
The King Tut exhibit at the LA County Museum of Art would be great if it's still on. The Grove at the end of December should be a pleasant walkable experience. Disney Hall is also a wonderful experience. If you have children, you might try to get into one of the Sunday performances there for young people. Only lasts an hour and the music is tailor made. The zoo would be good. Oh, you'll be around for the annual holiday of lights in Griffith Park! Lasts until Dec. 30th, 5 - 10 p.m.
Unique dining:
Gyu Kaku. There's one on Pico in West L.A. and one on La Cienega at the Beverly Hills border.
The department of transportation is getting a bit better about this, but you will still see freeway interchanges where instead of using the directions "north" or "south", we're given a geography lesson on the state of California. Thus, you will see, as you are driving, say, on the 10 at the 5 interchange, "5 Sacramento", even though Sacramento is not by any stretch of the imagination in the vicinity of L.A.. Now, you may not know that Sacramento is 400 miles or so away. You might head that way thinking Sacramento is a suburb of L.A., but you won't find it on your freeway map of L.A. (no surprise).
Another thing recently instituted on freeways and now on city streets is the ever popular "CMS" (changeable message signs)-- a big flashing billboard demanding that you WATCH THE ROAD. Very counter-productive.
Enough about roads, except to say while on vacation, don't bother to get up before 9 a.m. if you plan to travel by car and don't bother to live a place you are visiting during "rush hour" (which is all day on the 405 and 4 - 7 on the 10).
The King Tut exhibit at the LA County Museum of Art would be great if it's still on. The Grove at the end of December should be a pleasant walkable experience. Disney Hall is also a wonderful experience. If you have children, you might try to get into one of the Sunday performances there for young people. Only lasts an hour and the music is tailor made. The zoo would be good. Oh, you'll be around for the annual holiday of lights in Griffith Park! Lasts until Dec. 30th, 5 - 10 p.m.
Unique dining:
Gyu Kaku. There's one on Pico in West L.A. and one on La Cienega at the Beverly Hills border.
Oct 31st, 2005, 03:39 PM
#26
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Getty Museum
check to see what performances at Hollywood Bowl or Greek Theatre
Embassy Suites next to LAx good "airport hotel" to stay night before departure (can turn rental car in and they'll shuttle to you terminal)
check to see what performances at Hollywood Bowl or Greek Theatre
Embassy Suites next to LAx good "airport hotel" to stay night before departure (can turn rental car in and they'll shuttle to you terminal)
Oct 31st, 2005, 05:03 PM
#27
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I think Tracy2cents meant to say "you can turn RIGHT on a red light".....unless posted otherwise. Be sure to stop at the light first before turning right. You'll tick off the driver behind you, but it's better than getting a ticket for a "rolling stop", a.k.a. "a California stop".
And when you want to turn left and there is a green arrow, and then that green arrow turns yellow followed by a solid green light, that means get your butt out there and make that left turn when it's safe. Don't sit there and wait for the next green arrow! That solid green light that comes after the arrow means yield.
And when you want to turn left and there is a green arrow, and then that green arrow turns yellow followed by a solid green light, that means get your butt out there and make that left turn when it's safe. Don't sit there and wait for the next green arrow! That solid green light that comes after the arrow means yield.
Nov 1st, 2005, 06:25 AM
#29
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No, I'm talking about left turn on RED!
If you're about to turn left and the light turns yellow....get ready...as soon as the light turns red you can still turn left as long as you are pulled up into the crosswalk (front tires should be up into the crosswalk). That's the rule.
Might seem normal to an Angeleno but it's something completely new to out-of-staters.
If you're about to turn left and the light turns yellow....get ready...as soon as the light turns red you can still turn left as long as you are pulled up into the crosswalk (front tires should be up into the crosswalk). That's the rule.
Might seem normal to an Angeleno but it's something completely new to out-of-staters.
Nov 1st, 2005, 06:39 AM
#30
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OK, I see what you mean. That's just a basic left turn. In other words you're forced to turn once the light has changed to red. But please get INTO the intersection so that TWO cars can go. It makes me nuts when people don't get out there in the middle of the intersection.
Icuy: That's true, but it's not that common, except for a few blocks in downtown.
Icuy: That's true, but it's not that common, except for a few blocks in downtown.
Nov 1st, 2005, 03:49 PM
#32
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And do the 710 signs still say "Pasadena" even though they never quite got the highway TO Pasadena? =) This thread made me laugh because of the obsession with driving and traffic- it's so LA! When I got married in Pas, I sent out a long list of similar directions to family members out of state. They must've thought I was crazy. Marko- just get a really good map (a Thomas Guide if you'll be there for a while), stay on the highways, and know where you're going. Otherwise, my advise is to get to the beach and eat at lots of non-chain restaurants. =)
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Tansy
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Sep 22nd, 2003 06:23 PM
